Protective device for ships



Dec. 4, 1945. a E. K. EDENBORO 2,390,358

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR SHIPS Filed S ept. 21, 1943 dazzbara Patented Dec. 4, 1945 Edward E. K. Edenboro, Greenville, Ala.

Application September 21, 1943, Serial No. 503,259

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for protecting ships from torpedoes, mines, and other explosives, and contemplates surrounding a ships hull with a porous, fibrous, fireproof mass preformed in units of convenient size and flexibly interconnected so as to conform with the ships shape.

The object of the invention is to provide a protective layer adapted to prevent the penetration of explosive projectors and tending to eliminate the dangers to which ships are currentl exposed from such missiles.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combinations of parts and the methods and process hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

One sheet of drawings, largely diagrammatic, accompanies this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ships hull, outfitted with the subject invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the interconnection and internal structure of several abutting units;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section taken on line 3-3 of FigureZ.

In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to provide a plurality of rectangular shaped, mattress-like members formed of a mixture of fibrous material such as cotton, a fireresistant fibrous material such as asbestos fiber, thoroughly mixed and consolidated with a solution of fire-resisting material of a character not readily soluble in water, and then compressed with reinforcement members and connecting devices as hereinafter more particularl specified.

It is preferred that the cotton, as baled, be thinned out and then mixed with a substantial amount, about one-fourth in volume, of asbestos fiber which may be added in layers to the cotton and then thoroughly intermixed with the cotton fiber and that to such mixtures of fibers there be added a liquid fireproofing solution of a character not readily soluble in water, after drying, such, for instance, as is described in the patent to George E. Ferguson, No. 1,261,736, and consisting in its preferred form as therein described as comprising ammonium hydroxid with zinc phosphate and zinc chlorid dissolved therein, the zinc chlorid being' precipitated as zinc hydroxid and then dissolved in the ammonium hydroxid. A similar fire-resisting liquid can be made, using copper phosphate or copper oxalate, which copper salts would have the further advantage of repelling marine growth.

The fibrous materials should be allowed sufficient of the liquid material to thoroughly drench the same. Thereafter it can be placed in a press and compressed into rectangular sections approximately 20 ft. by 12 ft. and 4 inches thick. This mattress-like slab is then surrounded wit-h a plurality of encompassing bands 2 spaced about 18 inches apart, with the outermost bands about 4 inches in from the edges, the bands crossing in opposite directions and being provided with outwardly directed rings 4 adjacent the ends thereof, extending outwardly on one face thereof.

Thereafter, addition of the thoroughly mixed fibers and fireproofing material will be compressed around the basic slab l to form a protective layer 3 exterior of the bands 2 and the entire mattress-like bod will be enclosed in a cover 6, preferably of brown canvas or similar fabric, itself thoroughly impregnated with a similar liquid fire-resistant non-soluble solution. The canvas covers will be formed with openings provided with snap fasteners I so that they can be replaced or removed, as desired.

A plurality of such sections can be assembled in association and secured to the ships hull by means of U-shaped rod members 5, of wire or steel, adapted to pass through the rings 4 of adjacent units and, if desired, the ends of the arms of these U-shaped members 5 may be crimped as at 9 to receive a securing ring In to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the members 5.

It will be apparent that the units can be arranged longitudinally and vertically of the ships hull to any desired length or depth and by reason of the flexible connection will readily adapt themselves to the shape of the ships hull, providing the same. with a fibrous coating of fire-resistant character adapted to deaden the impact of any explosion missiles which may strike the ship.

Various modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, but all within the scope of the present invention, as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

1. Protective device for ships comprising, a mattress-like shock absorbing and fire-resistant members of fibrous material bonded and compressed with imbedded encircling bands, with engagement members secured to said bands on one face of the members adjacent the edges thereof, whereby a plurality of said members can be interconnected to form a ship encircling tier.

pressed withrimbedded encircling bands, with engagement rings secured to the bands and U- can be flexibly secured to the ship hull and other similar members to form a ship encircling protective layer.

4. Protective device for ships comprising, a

6' mattress-like member formed of cotton and asshaped members adapted to pass through the rings of adjacent members to flexibly connect said members.

3. Protective device for ships comprising, a.

mattress-like member formed of cotton and a fire-resistant material bonded and compressed with reinforcement members imbed'dedtherein and a cover of canvas with means secured to the reinforcement members by which the members bestos fiber bonded and compressed with reinforcement members imbedded therein and a cover of canvas with means secured to the reinforcement members by which the members can be flexibly secured to the ship hull and other -simil arzm'emb-ers to form .a' ship encircling protectivelayer.

EDWARD E. K. EDENBORO. 

